"They (Middlesbrough) had a lot of long range shots and we didn't close down anywhere near enough. We've talked about this consistently, the players are well aware of that but they've got to go and do it."

Adkins added: "I'm responsible as the manager. I'm not hiding away from anything on that one.

"At the end of the day we're going out there with the endeavour to win games of football but too many times this season we've been inconsistent."

For the third time in four games, Reading found themselves 2-0 down at the break against Middlesbrough.

Albert Adomah opened the scoring with a fine volley before a Grant Leadbitter piledriver doubled the lead.

Things got even worse for the visitors after the interval when Kaspars Gorkss was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card.

Leadbitter then completed the scoring from the penalty spot after Alex Pearce had brought down Emmanuel Ledesma.

Adkins said: "I thought we started on the front foot and were in the ascendency.

"Then they've gone and counter attacked and to be fair to them it was a good goal.